Contrary to the pop song..... Dont wear your Sunglasses at night!

 

you stole the words right out of my mouth LOL

 

I've heard people say they need to go for a ride to "clear" their head...
In reality.. you need to have a clear mind in order to ride safely.
Don't ride if you are under the influence or are experiencing a crisis in your life.
You need to have all your wits about you.

Good thread...lots of good ideas here.

 

always have a planned escape route. Don't think your breaks will save your life.
Don't drink and ride...I know most do
don't use your front brakes with your handlebars turned, square them off then brake

 

All cagers are out to get you. Ride like that is the rule, because it is.

 

Take a riding course and pretend everyone is aiming for you.

 

good site to learn or refresh on riding safety.every ride something to be learned
http://www.msgroup.org/

 

You an learn by reading a book or by riding. I always leave my bike in neutral at a stop light and see no need to be in first as I need to wee if the light is going to change as opposed to looking behind me. I think it is occupational hazard that if a car rear ends you it rear ends you. On the contrary I split lanes to the front of traffic so that the car that is behind me is already stopped. I have never had an issue as az result of leaving the bike in neutral at a stop light. I ride everyday in heavy city traffic.

The blindspot post was great. If you can't see them they can't see you. I prefer to drive a few miles an hour faster than traffic if possible so that I never am in a blind spot for too long as anyone who rides frequently knows that this si an impossible task regardless of where you ride.

I find that reading the traffic to the best of my ability really helps as quite often I see a car getting on the freeway and can sense that they are going to come over to my lane before they do based ont eh speed that they are driving. I try and be ready for this type of thing although it is never always possible.

The left turn posting was great too as I have had that happen numerous times and it is usually the last thing I think of until it happens.

Never ride above your ability or you will wreck (that was my personal experience numerous times. The best part about this was that the people I was riding with could have cared less how fast I rode.

I never drink and ride.

I try to ride with people whom I know their abilities and skills so that I can be safer. I have always found that riding solo is best for me.

I always leave plenty of space between the car in front of me and myself as you never know when they might slam their brakes on and I prefer to not make a panic stop. If other cars cut in front fo me so be it, I let them in.

I have more than my fair share of bad habits when I ride as well, but others would probably be ab le to point them out better than me.

That's all for now.

 

Practice figure 8s.

As said - Look at the WHEELS / HUB CAPS of car at cross street. Saved my life a few times.

When your light turns Green - do NOT GO. LOOK - My light turned green - I looked and it looked like car coming from the left was going a bit fast coming up to a RED light! Stupid Beach - talking on the cell phone - stopped alright - right in front of ME! I had to go AROUND her.

Remember my Law of Car physics - No 2 cars can occupy the same space at the same time without bad things happening. No car and motorcycle can occupy the same space at the same time without REALLY BAD things happening.

NEVER EVER ride at the rear tire / rear quarter panel of car next to you - slow down or speed up.

Things that are not generally hazardous to cars are lethal to motorcycles and their operator - rocks, sand in the road. Oil in parking lots, drive thru, fuel pumps etc.
Wet leaves, shreaded semi tires (AKA Road Gators)

Pratcice - slow speed, slow speed turns

Be a good chess player and always be 5 moves ahead.

 

Get them into a safe riding course, buy them a copy of this... ...and keep reminding them to watch out for drivers doing the stupidest thing possible at the worst possible moment.